How to Parse an Infinite Input Stream in Java?

What are the best practices for parsing an infinite input in Java?

InputStream inputStream = new BufferedInputStream(System.in);
Scanner scanner = new Scanner(inputStream);
while (scanner.hasNextLine()) {
    String line = scanner.nextLine();
    // Process the line here
}

Parsing an infinite input stream in Java requires careful management of resources and the ability to handle continuous data flow. Common use cases include reading from a live data feed or processing large log files.

import java.io.BufferedInputStream;
import java.util.Scanner;

public class InfiniteInputParser {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        InputStream inputStream = new BufferedInputStream(System.in);
        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(inputStream);
        while (scanner.hasNextLine()) {
            String line = scanner.nextLine();
            // Add your processing logic here
            System.out.println(line); // Example output
        }
        scanner.close();
    }
}

Causes

• Inefficient resource management can lead to memory issues.
• Not breaking out of the loop can cause the application to hang.

Solutions

• Use BufferedInputStream for efficient reading.
• Implement a timeout mechanism to prevent hanging indefinitely.
• Consider using Java's NIO package for asynchronous processing.

Mistake: Not closing the Scanner, leading to resource leaks.

Solution: Always close the Scanner in a finally block or use try-with-resources.

Mistake: Failing to handle exceptions which may arise during input reading.

Solution: Surround input code with try-catch blocks to manage exceptions properly.